Expansion tops coaches’ list of A-League wishes

A-LEAGUE coaches have unanimously called for the competition to be expanded by 2019-20.

As part of a News Corp poll, five coaches said there needs to be a minimum of two teams added by the season after next.

Three others said the competition needs to have four more teams by that time, Wellington’s Darije Kalezic said Australia could cater for 16-18 teams, while Melbourne City’s Warren Joyce said more teams were needed, but did not specify how many.

Six out of 10 said the FFA Cup winner should earn Asian Champions League qualification, although most added the cup’s draw mechanisms would need to change first.

And, when asked how many teams should make the A-League finals in its present state, half advocated for leaving it at the current number of six, two said five teams, two said four teams while Joyce said he only wanted two.

“If I’m asking for consistency from my players then the best two teams throughout the season – the most consistent – deserve to be rewarded,” Joyce said.

Expansion has been a hot issue in the world of soccer, but the sport’s bitter civil war has put it on the backburner until a new A-League operating model can be agreed upon.

But all coaches are adamant it needs to happen, with Kevin Muscat (Melbourne Victory), Graham Arnold (Sydney FC), Paul Okon (Central Coast), John Aloisi (Brisbane) and Joyce all saying additional teams would help youth development.

Arnold, Muscat and Perth’s Kenny Lowe want four new teams in by 2019-20. Lowe said additional games would also be a positive.

“Then there’s talk about whether you can fit it into the window with other sporting codes we’re so conscious of,” Lowe said. “But why not go and compete against them?

“If you want to be the best you’ve got to compete. Then see where you sit.”

Aloisi, Okon, Ernie Merrick (Newcastle), Marco Kurz (Adelaide) and Tony Popovic – who was still Western Sydney coach when this survey was conducted – all want two new teams.

Among those calling for the FFA Cup winner to qualify for the ACL were Aloisi, Popovic, Okon, Kurz, Arnold, Lowe and Joyce.

But Aloisi said the competition would have to be played at a different time, while Popovic was one of several who said the draw must be random from the beginning for that to happen.

Those who advocated for the six-team playoffs remaining agreed there would be too many meaningless games in the second half of the season with less finalists.